This morning I got a call back from KTLK concerning last Tuesday’s exchange between host Jason Lewis and a caller slamming Stillwater anti-war activist Karl Bremer. [previous item] The station’s program director, Steve Versnick, was joined by Clear Channel regional VP Mike Crusham on the speaker-phone call. MinMon had sent both men the transcript of the segment that we published last Friday. Here’s what they had to say.

Minnesota Monitor:  My essential question is simply, is this acceptable on-air conduct?

Mike Crusham: Well, based on the transcript that I’m looking at, I don’t see that anybody crossed the line.

MinMon: Lewis expressly mentions the word “jihad” and says he doesn’t favor it unless someone’s in the public arena–but then says this guy is. He does not balk or distance himself when the caller alludes to possible reprisals against Bremer that might be illegal and actionable. I wondered about that piece in particular. At another point, obviously, Jason Lewis says expressly that “I can’t be held responsible” for what listeners might do, which seems to suggest a recognition on his part that it might be ugly and/or illegal.

Crusham: Well, but he also says, if you want to let this guy know you think he’s a bum, that’s up to you.

MinMon: He’s not instructing them to do anything, agreed. But I’ve heard numerous people say that Lewis seemed to condone the possibility that ugly things might happen.

Steve Versnick: Well, I don’t read that intent into here. A caller kind of suggested it. Jason’s always been one of — you know, stand up, make your voice heard, freedom-of-speech type things. That’s what Jason fights for, much like when he said, if you want to let him know you think he’s a bum, that’s up to you. I know Jason’s not advocating anything beyond that. Jason’s whole show is about freedom of speech and standing up for what you believe.

Crusham: I agree with what Steve Versnick just said, that the goal of Jason’s show is what Steve just said. It’s not to go out and advocate illegal or immoral or any type of behavior that isn’t within the lines of the law.

MinMon: So the exchange gives you no pause from a legal standpoint?

Crusham: Based on what I read — I did not get to hear it — but based on the transcript, no.